Famous Chinese lawyer Zhang Yuejiao was sworn in on Tuesday as a judge of the World Trade Organization (WTO)'s top court.

Zhang will start a four-year term in the Appellate Body on June 1. The seven-member body is often considered as the highest court of the WTO, which gives final rulings to trade disputes.

Japan's Shotaro Oshima was also sworn in as a new member of the body. He and Zhang will replace two outgoing judges.

According to WTO regulations, members of the Appellate Body should be "persons of recognized authority, with demonstrated expertise in law, international trade and the subject matter of the WTO agreements generally."

They should perform their duties "honorably, independently, impartially and conscientiously" and at all times "avoid direct or indirect conflicts of interests."

Zhang, 63, is professor of law at Shantou University in China. She is also an arbitrator on China's International Trade and Economic Arbitration Commission and practises law as a private attorney.

Zhang once held positions at the Chinese Ministry of Commerce as well as at the Asian Development Bank.

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2008)